We have been making maps of the Fertile Crescent to learn about the geography of the land that is home to the oldest civilizations in human history. Recently , we read that the area around modern day Iraq was the location of the earliest big cities. The reading introduced these terms:
Mesopotamia - “the land between the rivers” (specifically, the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers).
Fertile Crescent – the “C” shaped area of land with soil that was good for farming.
The Cradle of Civilization – refers to the idea that this region was the birthplace of complex human societies.
Assignment (Due Thursday, November 5, 2009)
Resources
- Sample map created by Ms. Falls – Ms. Falls created this map, which is based on the map on page 50 of The World and its People, which shows the natural resources of the Fertile Crescent. Students are welcome to refer to this map if they don’t have a book at home.
- Checking out a textbook – students can check out a textbook to take home by stopping by the room after school. Books must be returned before school the next day so we can use them during class.
- Map of Ancient Mesopotamia – this map shows the location of many of the city-states of Mesopotamia.
- British Museum Maps – series of maps about Mesopotamia created by the British Museum showing cities, terrain, natural resources, and more.
- Wikipedia article about Mesopotamia – includes links to Fertile Crescent civilizations and related maps.